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Rome wasn't built in a day -- nor China
By John Charles Payne |
July 30, 2011, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
A MULTI-billion-dollar rail project proved unable to protect the lives of 40 high-speed train travelers on July 23. How dear is the existence of those people who were killed last weekend in Wenzhou.
I would venture to say that no measure of international prestige, economic development in the form of increased foreign investment, improved employment percentages, and freshly injected billions of dollars to service China's burgeoning infrastructure could replace the lives that were lost.
An evaluation of the Ministry of Railway's flagship bullet train project, corrupt government officials, and bungling, inadequately trained workers triggers thoughts about how self-centeredness can cause so much damage.
In the wake of the lives lost Saturday, I have to ask how anyone can find ultimate fault or blame in the weather, or know the lasting impact of reckless and wholly self-interested individuals governing the project and building the railroads.
Today China must acknowledge the value of human life as it learns to temper its zealous drive toward infrastructure construction. The furious push to become the preeminent force in all things economic has blinded the people who hold the most responsibility for protecting the lives of the country's citizens.
I wonder if government officials at the railway bureau ever considered the possibility that the Chinese who use the rail infrastructure they build could contribute to the glory of China in the form of entrepreneurs, doctors, engineers, scientists, innovators, or artists? It is my hope that the Chinese government officials take the time that is inherently required to elevate the internal workings of such a large and ancient nation.
Formula for success
Here is a formula for success that would serve as a testament to how great a nation China is and it is a framework that could serve as a model for other developing countries looking to enhance their status around the world.
China should have sophisticated infrastructure built that suits the needs of the people and the businesses it hopes to foster after careful planning.
The central governments should invest in creating safe highways and railways that crisscross the country, supporting the poorer regions and enabling the country to expand as a whole instead of splintering the wealthy east with the impoverished west.
It is important to remember that planning takes time (and may make the whole process slower), but poor planning treads down the path of costly, time-consuming destruction and improvement.
Instilling responsibility and accountability in all public officials should be a priority for the central government by designing performance reviews that encourage attention be paid to safety, fiscal and environmental conservatism, and honesty.
Surely the government leaders are learning that pushing infrastructure development in a way that is too much too soon will not create an enviable international reputation, but instead will leave behind the crippling turbulence of irresponsibility and distrust.
Without fundamental changes in the way that China builds its infrastructure, there is little hope that last Saturday's tragedy will become uncommon.
The old maxims of "haste makes waste" and that "Rome wasn't built in a day" should not be ignored in China. Only with patience over time can everyone bask in the glowing triumphs of China's rise to global stardom.
(The author is an intern at Shanghai Daily from Appalachian State University in North Carolina. His email: paynejohncharles@gmail.com)
I would venture to say that no measure of international prestige, economic development in the form of increased foreign investment, improved employment percentages, and freshly injected billions of dollars to service China's burgeoning infrastructure could replace the lives that were lost.
An evaluation of the Ministry of Railway's flagship bullet train project, corrupt government officials, and bungling, inadequately trained workers triggers thoughts about how self-centeredness can cause so much damage.
In the wake of the lives lost Saturday, I have to ask how anyone can find ultimate fault or blame in the weather, or know the lasting impact of reckless and wholly self-interested individuals governing the project and building the railroads.
Today China must acknowledge the value of human life as it learns to temper its zealous drive toward infrastructure construction. The furious push to become the preeminent force in all things economic has blinded the people who hold the most responsibility for protecting the lives of the country's citizens.
I wonder if government officials at the railway bureau ever considered the possibility that the Chinese who use the rail infrastructure they build could contribute to the glory of China in the form of entrepreneurs, doctors, engineers, scientists, innovators, or artists? It is my hope that the Chinese government officials take the time that is inherently required to elevate the internal workings of such a large and ancient nation.
Formula for success
Here is a formula for success that would serve as a testament to how great a nation China is and it is a framework that could serve as a model for other developing countries looking to enhance their status around the world.
China should have sophisticated infrastructure built that suits the needs of the people and the businesses it hopes to foster after careful planning.
The central governments should invest in creating safe highways and railways that crisscross the country, supporting the poorer regions and enabling the country to expand as a whole instead of splintering the wealthy east with the impoverished west.
It is important to remember that planning takes time (and may make the whole process slower), but poor planning treads down the path of costly, time-consuming destruction and improvement.
Instilling responsibility and accountability in all public officials should be a priority for the central government by designing performance reviews that encourage attention be paid to safety, fiscal and environmental conservatism, and honesty.
Surely the government leaders are learning that pushing infrastructure development in a way that is too much too soon will not create an enviable international reputation, but instead will leave behind the crippling turbulence of irresponsibility and distrust.
Without fundamental changes in the way that China builds its infrastructure, there is little hope that last Saturday's tragedy will become uncommon.
The old maxims of "haste makes waste" and that "Rome wasn't built in a day" should not be ignored in China. Only with patience over time can everyone bask in the glowing triumphs of China's rise to global stardom.
(The author is an intern at Shanghai Daily from Appalachian State University in North Carolina. His email: paynejohncharles@gmail.com)
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